Introduction

Abstract

Histology is the science that investigates the microscopic structure of the body and, from this, attempts to draw inferences regarding its functions. Of course, the body’s functions can never be completely understood from this morphological approach alone. Nevertheless, the body’s morphology is one of its basic aspects and histology has contributed, and continues to do so to this day, to analyze and understand it. Histology’s central dogma is that form is related to function. This principle does not always work equally well. Examples can be found of cells and tissues, the functions of which can hardly be understood from their morphology alone. In general though, this principle has stood the test of time.